Flexible joint



R. C. PORTOUW FLEXIBLE JOINI Aug. 3, 1965 Filed Feb. 9, 1962 Roberb C.Porouw IN VEN TOR.

United States Patent 3,1%,557 FLEXEELE Rehert C. lerteuw, ll, assignor te Bree] Engineering Jompan, Portiantl, reg., a corperation o regon Fileti Felv. 9, 1952, Ser. No 172,325 2 Claims. (Cl 235-224) This nvention concerns a fiexible joint construction, and more particularly relates to a construction for a joint hetween a pair of parts, snch as a pair of conduits, where the parts are sealed together and at the same time relative movement is afforded between the parts.

In certain types of fluicl-hancling operations, it is desirahle to convey a fluid through a conduit or duet system, where such conduit or duet system includes sections that are movablerelative to each other. A seal should be provided between the sections to nhibit leakage of fiuid, ie., provide a fluid-tight joint. Applications where the inclusion of such relatively mova-ble duet sections is advantageous are in fiuid-nandling operations, Where adjustability is a requirement in one encl of a duct system, and. fiuid-handling operations where temperature variatons produce elongation and contraction.

A general object of this invention is to provide an improved joint for a conduit or duet system, including a pair of relatively movable sections, that is simple, yet entirely practical and satisfactory in operation.

Another general object is to provide sncn a joint, where the joint accommodates relative movement between two conduit sections th in a longitudinal and in a transverse direction.

As contemplated by this invention, a pair of conduit sections orportions, Witn ends separated by a gap, are sealed together through the provision of plnral sealing members 01 elements set end to end and encircling the gap. Bach sealing element has one elongated surface portion that is in sealing engagement with part of one of the conduit sections, and another elongted surface portion occupying a plane dispose-d at an angle (normally at right angle) with respect to the plane occupied by the one surface portion that is in sealing engagement With part of the other conduit section. Bias means connected t0 each sealing element urges the surface portions of the element into proper s-ealing engagement, such bias means exerting a force on the element that includes a component normal to each of its surface portims. Should relative movement between the conduit sections occur, in either a longitudinal or in a transverse directien, such is accemrnoclatecl by the sealing elements, with the elements shifting while still rnaintaining a tight seal.

Ths, another object of the invention is to provide a joint between two conduit sections, tl1at inclncles a seal ing element with sealing surfaces occupying planes disposed at angles with respect to each other, and means for urgn the sealing snrfaces of the element into proper sealing engagement, the latter means exerting forces norrnal to each of the sealing snrfaces.

A further object is to provide a nevel joint comprising plural sealing elements set end to end, and independently biased into sealing engagement.

Y et another object is to provide a novel fl xible joint, whic1 may be supported entirely by the two conduit sec tions it connects together.

Another object of the invention is to provide a joint that is easily repaired if need be, and easily maintained in proper operating condition.

These and other ohjects and advantages are attained by the invention, and the same is descrihed hereinoelow in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FG. 1 is a side elevation, somewhat simplified, of a 3,l98,557 Patentecl Aug. 3, 1%65 conventional type of machine where the flexihle joint of the invention may be used to an advantage;

FG. 2 is a view illustrating in more detail, and on a somewhat larger scale and with portions broken away, portions of two conduit sections in a duet system con nected by the joint of this invention;

FG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, taken generally along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2, illustrating part of the joint; and

PG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3, and on an even larger scala, illustrating a sealing element present in the joint and the mechanism provided for urging it into its proper sealing position.

Referring now to the drawings, and first of all to FIG. 1, part of a conventional machine is illustrated, in simplified form, where the fiexible joint of this invention rnght be included. The machine, indicated generally at atl, may he a paper machine, and includes a rotatable roll 12 that paper material passes over during the manufacture of paper therefrom. A hood 14 is positioned over roll 12, and ths may be shifted to various positions by means of an adjustable means 16, which in the embodiment illustrated takes the form of jack screws monnting the hood on top of the frame of the machine. The interior of hood 14 connects with a vertical duet systern 15 exte1ding upwardly therefrom, comprising v aligned duet or conduit sections '20, 22. These are connected by a joint indicated at 19 in FG. 1. During the rnanufacture of paper, het gases travel through the hood and duet system. Duet 22 may be thought of as a fixed duet, and duet 20 as a movable duet, the latter being connected to hood 14, which may be rased, lowered, or tilted trom sde to side, through adjustment of means 16. Relative movement between the duet sections also may result becanse of temperature changes, and resulting elongation and contraction in the duet sections.

The machine thus far described is exemplary of the type of installation where the fiexible joint of this inventon may be employed advantageously. It is not intended by the description to he limited to the specific type of machine with which the joint is used, as it should be apparent that the construction has applicability to any number of conduit er duet systems, where relatively movable sections are present.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, where there is illustrated, on a sornewhat enlarged scale, and in more detail, joint 19 connecting relatively movable duet sections '26), 22.

As shown in these figures, at 23 there is indicated an extension or conduit portion secured to the top of lower duet section 20. The conduit portion has a rectangular outline, defined by opposed sides 24 and opposed sides 25. The conduit portion is sec'ured to duet section 2, as by fastening a fiange 26 thereof to a flange 23 of the duet section, With nut and bolt assemblies 39.

A similar extension or conduit portion 31 is secured to the base of top duet section 22, With nut and bolt assemblies 34. Like conduit portion 23, conduit portion 31 has a rectangular outline, defined by opposed sets of sides 32, 33. The dimensions of extension or conduit portion 31 are sornewhat larger than the dimensions of extension 01' conduit portion 23, and lower (or inner) conduit portion 23 extends upwardly into the inside of the upper (or enter) conduit portion 31, with the two portons ordinarily substantially concentric and having parallel correspondng sides.

Ioined to the bottom edge of conduit portion 31, and integral therewith, is a flange 36. Flange 36 extends completely about the conduit portion, with an elongated reach or expanse thereof paralleling each side. Bach reach 0r expanse of the flange projects outwardly from the side of conduit portion 31 that it parallels, with the plane of its undersurface 36a substantially normal to the side. In the embodiment illustrated, .flange 36 performs two functions. For one thing, its undersurface functions as a sealing surface in the construction. The flange also provides a means for supporting a series of sealing elements or members, shown at 37, 33, 4, and 41, and described more fully below.

Opposed sides 24 and opposed sides 25 of conduit portion 23 have outer surfaces that also function as sealing surfaces. This rnay best be explained by referring to the side 24 of conduit portion 23 shown in FIG. 4, and at the left of the drawings in FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown in these figures, the outer surface of side 24 is indicated at 24a. This outer surface constitutes a sealing surface in the construction cooperating With that portion of the undersu face of flange 36 that extends in an elongated reach adjacent side 24 in providing an elongated corner for receiving one of the sealing elements previously rnentioned.

A sealed joint is provided between the outer surfaces of sides 24, 25 and the undersurface of fiange 36 by scaling elements or members 37, 38, 49, and 41. The latter constitute sections of a sealing means encircling extension or conduit porti0n 23. Elements 37, 38 parallel and are opposite each other, and simlarly, elements 40, 41 parallel and are opposite each other. The elements are disposed end to end, with the ends of elements 4%), 41 overlapped with the ends of elements 37, 38.

The various sealing elements are similar in construction, and only one is described in detail.

Considerng element or member 37 shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the element comprises an elongated, rigid mounting 42, having flanges 43, 44 disposed at right angles to each other. T he outer surfaces 43a, 44a of flanges 4.3, 44 constitute elongated supporting surfaces joined along a corner 46 and extending in parallel reaches. Surface 43a occupies a plane that parallels the plane of the undersurface of flange 36, and surface 44a occupies a plane that parallels a side of extension or conduit portion 23.

A yieldable covering With portions extending over each of the supporting surfaces 43a, 44a is indicated at 48. The covering may comprise a layer of listing tape (asbestos) secured in place with fasteners 50. With the sealing element postioned as shown, that portion of covering 48 that covers flange 43 has an outer srface, constituting a sealing surface, in sealing contact with the undersurface of flange 36 directly thereover. That portion of covering 48 that covers flange 44 has an outer surface, constituting a sealing surface, in sealing contact With the oute1 surface of a side of extension 23 (surface 24a in the case of element 37).

As discussed earlier, flange 36 provides a means for supporting the sealing elements. Thus, and considering again sealing element 37, seeured to mounting 42 adjacent its ends, and thus spaced along the length of the mountng, are plates 52 pivoted loosely on each plate 52 is a stud 54. Studs 54 have their nonpivoted ends extending loosely through bores 53 provided in a depending bracket 60 secured to flange 36.

As can be seen with reference to FIG. 4, stads 54 plvoted on the sealing element extend downwardly at acute angles relative to the planes of sealng surfaces 24a, 36a (and the planes of the sealing surfaces provided by covering 48). Encircling the studs, and also in this angular position, are coiled compression spiings 62. One set of ends of springs 62 abut bracket 69, and the opposite set of ends of the springs abut washers hearing against shoulders 4 of the sinds. The compression springs constitute a bias means nterposed between the sealing element and 'one of the extensions or conduit portions (in this case conduit portiori 31), urging the sealing element upwardly and to the right in F1G. 4, so that its sealing surfaces are in sealing engagement vvith surfaces 36a, 24a.

Referring again to 4, the springs for element 37 are at an acute angle With respect to the sealing surfaces, they exert a orce on element 37 that may be resolved into a component normal to surface 36a (indicated at X) and a component normal to surface 24a (indicated at Y). It has also been brought out that the studs are pvotally mounted on plates 52 and have ther non-pivoted ends extending loosely through bores 58. As a consequence, each sealng element accommodates relative movement between the two extensions or conduit portions 23, 31, in a number of dierent directions, without loss of a sealed joint. For instance, in FIG. 4, extension or conduit portion 23 may be shifted upwardly or downwardly, with respect to conduit portion 3.1, and the springs are still operable to held sealing element 37 in a proper seal ing position. Conduit portion 23 may also be s'nfted to the left or right of conduit portion 31, or tilted relatve to conduit portion 31, with the same result. In all the various positions, each sealing surface of the sealng element is forced against a complementary sealing surface presented by the two conduit portions 2.3, 31.

The overlapped ends of the sealing elements provide a relatively tight seal atthe corners of the conduit portions. With reference to FEG. 3, element 37 rnay shift from left to right (laterally) freely in the space bounded by elements 40 and 41. Wth movement of elements 40, 41 upwarclly (or downwarclly) in FIG 3, element 37 shifts longitudinally.

With ether types of pipe, duet, or conduit constructions, some change in the constructon of the sealing elements may be desirable. The particular biasing means used may also be subject to some variation. The biasing means se lectd, however, should exert a force on a sealing element tl1at may be resolved into components norrnal to both of ts sealing surfaees, and preferably each sealng element is biased independently of the other.

I claim:

1. A joint connecting two conduits comprsing a first conduit portion with four sides and of rectangular outline ntegral with one of said conduits, another conduit portion with four sides integral with the other of said conduits substantally concentrically positoned with respect to said first conduit portion, flange means extending about one of said conduit portions including for each side of the other conduit portion an adjacent elongated surface portion set at an angle With respect to the side but extending in a reach paralleling the side, a sealing element interposed between each side of said first conduit portion and its adjacent surface portion of said fiange means having a first elongated sealing surface engaging the side of the first conduit portion and a second elongated sealing surface engagng theadjacent surface portion of said flange means, and means resiliently holding each of said sealing elements in place.

2. A joint connecting two substantially axially aligned conduits together comprising a first conduit portion joined to one conduit and a second conduit portion joined to the other conduit, said seconcl conduit portion having smaller outer dimensions than the first conduit portion and extending from a point outside to a point inside the first conduit portion whereby the two conduits are overlappecl, a sealing surface for said first conduit portion encircling the conduit portion and occupying a plane substantially normal to the sdes of the conduit portion, a seal ng surface for said second conduit portion encircling the conduit portion at a point outside said first conduit portion and substantially paralleling the sicles of the conduit portion, sealing rneans encircling said ether conduit portion having first surface portions engaging the sealing surface of said first conduit portion and second surface portions engaging the sealing surface of said second conduit portion, and bias rneans interposecl between one of said conduits and said sealing means urging the first and second surface portons of the sealing means against the 5 6 sealng surfaces of sad two conduit portions, sad condut Refererxces Cie by the Examiner portions having rectangular cross sectons and being sub- UNITED STATES PATENTS stantally concentric, sad sealing means comprsing a pair of opposed sealing elements substantially parallel With each 645224 3/00 Ostmm 277148 other and two sets of sides of sad conduit portions, and 5 805717 11/05 Denege 277143 a second pair of opposed sealing elements substantally 1053638 2/13 Ostrom paralleling each other and another two sets of sides of sad 1282290 10/18 R ees 2868 conclut portons and set at rght angles to the first g g pa1r of sealmg elements, one of sa1d part of seal1ng ele 2,516019 7/50 Pierson 285302 ments having ends overlapping he ends of the other sad 19 pair of sealng elements. CARL W. TOMLIN, Primary Examiner. 

1. A JOINT CONNECTING TWO CONDUITS COMPRISING A FIRST CONDUIT PORTION WITH FOUR SIDES AND OF RECTANGULAR OUTLINE INTEGRAL WITH ONE OF SAID CONDUITS, ANOTHER CONDUIT PORTION WITH FOUR SIDES INTEGRAL WITH THE OTHER OF SAID CONDUITS SUBSTANTIALLY CONCENTRICALLY POSITIONED WITH RESPECT TO SAID FIRST CONDUIT PORTION, FLANGE MEANS EXTENDING ABOUT ONE OF SAID CONDUIT PORTIONS INCLUDING FOR EACH SIDE OF THE OTHER CONDUIT PORTION AN ADJACENT ELONGATED SURFACE PORTION SET AT AN ANGLE WITH RESPECT TO THE SIDE BUT EXTENDING IN A REACH PARALLELING THE SIDE, A SEALING ELEMENT INTERPOSED BETWEEN EACH SIDE OF SAID FIRST CONDUIT PORTION AND ITS ADJACENT SURFACE PORTION OF SAID FLANGE MEANS HAVING A FIRST ELONGATED SEALING SURFACE ENGAGING THE SIDE OF THE FIRST CONDUIT PORTION AND A SECOND ELONGATED SEALING SURFACE ENGAGING THE ADJACENT SURFACE PORTION OF SAID FLANGE MEANS, AND MEANS RESILIENTLY HOLDING EACH OF SAID SEALING ELEMENTS IN PLACE. 